Solid state lighting device with extensible mounting base

ABSTRACT

A solid state lighting device with an extensible mounting base is provided. The solid state lighting device includes a housing and a moveable extension positioned in the housing. The moveable extension is aligned along a longitudinal axis of the solid state lighting device, and includes a closed position adjacent the housing and an open position remote from the housing. A base is affixed to an external end of the moveable extension. The base connects to a corresponding socket in order to provide electrical power to the solid state lighting device. The housing also includes a mechanical actuator therein. The mechanical actuator has a first end, affixed to the moveable extension, and a second end, affixed to the housing. The mechanical actuator allows the moveable extension to change from the closed position to the open position and vice versa.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to lighting, and more specifically, torecessed luminaires.

BACKGROUND

An increasing number of solid state light source devices (e.g., lamps,luminaires) are being developed for recessed fixtures or housings. Thesedevices typically have a relatively large body that must be encompassedwithin the fixture or the housing. For five and six inch versions, thesedevices may be “hard-wired” into the fixture or the housing. That is, asocket within the fixture/housing receives a screw base with connectingwires that protrude therefrom and include a small connector. Theconnector is plugged into the device and the device is then insertedinto the fixture or the housing. The mechanical attachment of the deviceto the fixture is achieved by the use of torsion springs, springs clips,or combinations thereof, located on the device or attached thereto. Theinside of the fixture/housing sometimes includes torsion springbrackets, particularly for five and six inch diameter versions, but notcommonly found in four and three inch diameter versions.

SUMMARY

Large variations in the diameters of fixtures and/or housings, and largevariations in the height of brackets, if any, make compatibility betweena solid state light source device and the fixture/housing potentiallyproblematic. Providing a variety of adjustability features on thedevice, to allow insertion of the device into multiple types and kindsof fixtures/housings, may make installation by a customer moredifficult, and also increases cost. Further, the presence of additionalmetal clips and/or brackets, whether usable in a certain fixture/housingor not, may contribute to increased electromagnetic interference (EMI),which can adversely affect performance of the device.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a moveable extension with abase connected thereto. The base attaches to a corresponding socket. Amechanical actuator allows the moveable extension to change between aclosed position and an open position, and vice versa. A solid statelighting device equipped with the moveable extension is easily installedin a fixture/housing with a socket. The moveable extension istemporarily put into its open position, and the base is attached to thesocket. The moveable extension is then put into its closed position, byapplying a force to the device. The mechanical actuator pulls the deviceinto the fixture/housing, allowing for easy installation in afixture/housing of any size or type, regardless of whether thefixture/housing includes mechanical connectors for the device or not.

In an embodiment, there is provided a solid state lighting device. Thesolid state lighting device includes: a housing; a moveable extensionpositioned in the housing, the moveable extension being aligned along alongitudinal axis of the solid state lighting device, wherein themoveable extension includes a closed position adjacent the housing andan open position remote from the housing; a base affixed to an externalend of the moveable extension, wherein the base connects to acorresponding socket in order to provide electrical power to the solidstate lighting device; and a mechanical actuator within the housing,wherein the mechanical actuator has a first end, affixed to the moveableextension, and a second end, affixed to the housing, wherein themechanical actuator allows the moveable extension to change from theclosed position to the open position and vice versa.

In a related embodiment, the mechanical actuator may be a spring. Inanother related embodiment, the mechanical actuator may be a ratchetingmechanism. In yet another related embodiment, the housing may include astop configured to temporarily maintain the moveable extension in theopen position. In a further related embodiment, the stop may beconfigured so as to be overcome by pressure applied to the solid statelighting device along the longitudinal axis. In another further relatedembodiment, the stop may include a protuberance formed on the moveableextension and a groove formed within a top of the housing. In a furtherrelated embodiment, the base may be capable of limited rotationalmovement along the longitudinal axis and the moveable extension.

In still another related embodiment, the housing may include a firsthousing and a second housing connected to the first housing, and thesecond housing may include, at least in part, the moveable extension andthe mechanical actuator. In a further related embodiment, the secondhousing may include a stop configured to temporarily maintain themoveable extension in the open position. In a further relatedembodiment, the stop may be configured so as to be overcome by pressureapplied to the solid state lighting device along the longitudinal axis.In another further related embodiment, the stop may include aprotuberance formed on the moveable extension and a groove formed withina top of the second housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages disclosedherein will be apparent from the following description of particularembodiments disclosed herein, as illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings in which like reference characters refer to the same partsthroughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily toscale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principlesdisclosed herein.

FIG. 1 shows a spring-loaded rotary mounting socket in a first positionaccording to embodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 shows a spring-loaded rotary mounting socket in a second positionaccording to embodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a locking mechanism for use with aspring-loaded rotary mounting socket according to embodiments disclosedherein.

FIG. 4 is a partial section view of a stage in the placement of solidstate light source device having a spring-loaded rotary mounting socketaccording to embodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 5 is a partial section view of another stage in the placement ofsolid state light source device having a spring-loaded rotary mountingsocket according to embodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of an interior of a housing of alighting device including a ratcheting mechanism according toembodiments disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For purposes of this application, it is to be understood that when anelement or layer is referred to as being “on,” connected to” or “coupledto” another element or layer, it can be directly on, connected to orcoupled to the other element or layer or intervening elements or layersmay be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being“directly on,” “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” anotherelement or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present.Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. The term “and/or”includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associatedlisted items.

Although the terms “first,” “second,” “third” etc. may be used todescribe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections,these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections are not tobe limited by theses terms as they are used only to distinguish oneelement, component, region, layer or section from another element,component, region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component,region, layer or section could be termed a second element, component,region, layer or section without departing from the scope and teachingsof the present invention.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” below,” upper,” “lower,”“above” and the like may be used herein for ease of description todescribe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) orfeature(s) as illustrated in the drawings. These spatially relativeterms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device inuse or operation in addition to the orientation shown in the drawings.For example, if the device in the drawings is turned over, elementsdescribed as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would thenbe oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplaryterm “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. Thedevice may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at otherorientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used hereininterpreted accordingly.

Though embodiments are described throughout with reference to a recessedluminaire, of course the invention is not so limited and is, in someembodiments, made and used in the same way as described throughout foruse with a solid state light source-based lamp (e.g., A19, B10, B12,BR20, BR30, PAR20, PAR30, PAR38, PAR40, etc.) that is meant to replace atraditional incandescent, halogen, and/or compact fluorescent lamp.

FIG. 1 shows a recessed luminaire 10 having a housing 12. In someembodiments, the housing 12 includes a first housing 14 and a secondhousing 16 connected thereto. In some embodiments, the recessedluminaire 10 includes one or more solid state light sources (not shown).The first housing 14 may be, and in some embodiments is, made from anysuitable material that transmits heat, such as but not limited toaluminum. The second housing 16 may be, and in some embodiments is, madefrom any suitable material that is electrically insulating, such as butnot limited to a heat and/or fire resistant plastic. In someembodiments, the housing 12 is made from the same material. In someembodiments, the housing 12 is made from a variety of materials. Amoveable extension 18 is positioned within the housing 12, and in someembodiments within the second housing 16, and is aligned along alongitudinal axis 20 of the recessed luminaire 10. The moveableextension 18 has a closed position 22 (as shown particularly in FIGS. 1and 5) adjacent the housing 12, an in some embodiments the secondhousing 16, and an open position 24 remote from the housing 12, and insome embodiments, the second housing 16 (as shown particularly in FIGS.2, 3, and 4). As seen in FIG. 3, in some embodiments a mechanicalactuator, such as but not limited to a spring 26, is contained withinthe housing 12, and in some embodiments, the second housing 16. Thespring 26 includes one end 28 and another end 30. The spring 26 isaffixed at the one end 28 to the moveable extension 18 and at theanother end 30 to the housing 12, and in some embodiments, to the secondhousing 16. The spring 26 acts to return the moveable extension 18 fromthe closed position 22 to the open position 24 and vice versa, when (forexample) the recessed luminaire 10 is taken out of, or put into, a can44 of a fixture 40 (as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5). In some embodiments,such as shown in FIG. 6, a different mechanical actuator, such as butnot limited to a ratcheting mechanism 26A having one end 28A affixed tothe movable extension 18 and another end 30A affixed to the housing 12,and in some embodiments, to the second housing 16, allows the moveableextension 18 to change between the closed position 22 and the openposition 24, and vice versa. As shown in FIG. 3, a stop 32 within thehousing 12, and in some embodiments the second housing 16, at leasttemporarily maintains the moveable extension 18 in the open position 24.In some embodiments, the stop 32 comprises a protuberance 34 formed onthe moveable extension 18 and a groove 36 formed with a top 38 of thehousing 12, and in some embodiments, the second housing 16.

A base 19 is affixed to an external end 21 of the moveable extension 18.The base 19, in some embodiments, is a typical Edison screw base as iswell known in the art, though in other embodiments, other known bases(e.g., a bi-pin GU-style base, a multi-pin CFL-style base with orwithout posts, etc.) are used. The base 19 fits into a correspondingsocket 46 within the fixture 40, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The base 19brings electrical power from the socket 46 to the recessed luminaire 10,allowing the solid state light source(s) within the luminaire 10 tooperate to emit light. The fixture 40, which is typically mounted in aceiling 42, includes the can 44 having the socket 46 at one end. Becausethe confines of the can 44 are relatively limited, installation of alighting device (such as the recessed luminaire 10) within the can 44may be problematic. The moveable extension 18 makes installation in thecan 44 easier. The moveable extension 18 is pulled out of the housing12, and in some embodiments the second housing 16, and put into its openposition 24, by for example contacting the protuberance 34 with thegroove 36 within the housing 12, and in some embodiments the secondhousing 16. The protuberance 34 and the groove 36 temporarily hold themoveable extension 18 in its open position 24, easily allowing a user toattach the base 19 of the moveable extension 18 of the recessedluminaire 10 to the corresponding socket 46 within the can 44. When thebase 19 is fully engaged with the socket 46, the user applies pressureto, for example, a face of the recessed luminaire 10, in a directionalong the longitudinal axis 20. The applied pressure overcomes theresistance of the protuberance 34 with the groove 36, allowing thespring 26 to pull the recessed luminaire 10 into the can 44. A rim 48 onthe recessed luminaire 10 contacts the ceiling 42 (or other surface inwhich the recessed luminaire 10 is installed, for example but notlimited to a portion of the fixture 40), providing a finished appearanceand resistance to the pull force exhibited by the spring 26.

In some embodiments, the base 19 is formed so as to provide limitedrotational movement about the longitudinal axis 20 and the moveableextension 18. Such a feature is shown in, for example, U.S. Pat. No.4,405,877, issued Sep. 20, 1983.

Unless otherwise stated, use of the word “substantially” may beconstrued to include a precise relationship, condition, arrangement,orientation, and/or other characteristic, and deviations thereof asunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art, to the extent that suchdeviations do not materially affect the disclosed methods and systems.

Throughout the entirety of the present disclosure, use of the articles“a” and/or “an” and/or “the” to modify a noun may be understood to beused for convenience and to include one, or more than one, of themodified noun, unless otherwise specifically stated. The terms“comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive andmean that there may be additional elements other than the listedelements.

Elements, components, modules, and/or parts thereof that are describedand/or otherwise portrayed through the figures to communicate with, beassociated with, and/or be based on, something else, may be understoodto so communicate, be associated with, and or be based on in a directand/or indirect manner, unless otherwise stipulated herein.

Although the methods and systems have been described relative to aspecific embodiment thereof, they are not so limited. Obviously manymodifications and variations may become apparent in light of the aboveteachings. Many additional changes in the details, materials, andarrangement of parts, herein described and illustrated, may be made bythose skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A solid state lighting device, comprising: a housing; a moveable extension positioned in the housing, the moveable extension being aligned along a longitudinal axis of the solid state lighting device, wherein the moveable extension includes a closed position adjacent the housing and an open position remote from the housing; a base affixed to an external end of the moveable extension, wherein the base connects to a corresponding socket in order to provide electrical power to the solid state lighting device; and a mechanical actuator within the housing, wherein the mechanical actuator has a first end, affixed to the moveable extension, and a second end, affixed to the housing, wherein the mechanical actuator allows the moveable extension to change from the closed position to the open position and vice versa.
 2. The solid state lighting device of claim 1, wherein the mechanical actuator is a spring.
 3. The solid state lighting device of claim 1, wherein the mechanical actuator is a ratcheting mechanism.
 4. The solid state lighting device of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a stop configured to temporarily maintain the moveable extension in the open position.
 5. The solid state lighting device of claim 4, wherein the stop is configured so as to be overcome by pressure applied to the solid state lighting device along the longitudinal axis.
 6. The solid state lighting device of claim 4, wherein the stop comprises a protuberance formed on the moveable extension and a groove formed within a top of the housing.
 7. The solid state lighting device of claim 6, wherein the base is capable of limited rotational movement along the longitudinal axis and the moveable extension.
 8. The solid state lighting device of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises: a first housing; and a second housing connected to the first housing; wherein the second housing includes, at least in part, the moveable extension and the mechanical actuator.
 9. The solid state lighting device of claim 8, wherein the second housing comprises a stop configured to temporarily maintain the moveable extension in the open position.
 10. The solid state lighting device of claim 9, wherein the stop is configured so as to be overcome by pressure applied to the solid state lighting device along the longitudinal axis.
 11. The solid state lighting device of claim 9, wherein the stop comprises a protuberance formed on the moveable extension and a groove formed within a top of the second housing. 